Chris Bianco Buys Out Business Partner in Pizzeria Bianco

​After a 16-year business partnership, James Beard Award-winning chef Chris Bianco is parting ways with Susan Pool, who's been a front-of-the-house fixture at the popular downtown eatery.

"I'm taking over the ownership of the pizzeria," Bianco says, explaining that he is now the sole owner of Pizzeria Bianco and Pane Bianco as of today.

The situation is amicable, he adds, explaining that he wishes Pool good luck as she goes in a new direction.

Moving forward, Bianco says he plans to be in the restaurant a lot more, and wants to take things to the next level. He recently hired chef Claudio Urciuoli to help out in every aspect of the business, and continues to work with his brother, Marco Bianco.

I found the front of the house very unfriendly and unwelcoming which was the complete opposite of how the food tasted. I feel the front should appear to enjoy food and eat And in her case she looked like she hadn't had a good meal in years.

Susan not only worked the front of the house but more or less created the cool vibe that the Bianco outlets (pizzeria, bar, and pane) have, from the furnishings to the lighting to the music. The food is already great but the great atmosphere really did enhance the experience. I just hope it doesn't change much under someone else's control.

I just have a feeling that Chris might be the one needing the luck he has wished on Susan. Someone needs to work the 'front' of the house while the food is prepared... so he hired a chef to help out in every aspect of the business. Ut oh. The really good chefs are necessarily really good people persons.